“I had the privilege of working with a fantastic bass player this past year. Thanks to Sharon LaMotte, who invited me to perform and teach a workshop in Asheville, I met Mike Holstein. He’s a gem. Thanks Mike for your great talent and dedication to jazz.” ~ Award-winning vocalist Sheila Jordan
Bassist/composer Mike Holstein has been playing music since early childhood. His first instruments were guitar, violin, piano and drums. While attending Western Carolina University he discovered the bass and he quickly became one of the most sought after bassists in the Southeast, often writing his own music. He joined the creative young jazz group, the Taken Back Quartet, which soon became a fixture on the thriving Asheville music scene, playing to a loyal almost cult-like following.
In 2001, the quartet along with Sharon LaMotte, formed the Jazz Composers Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation and documentation of original instrumental jazz. The Forum became a mainstay of the local music fabric as Mike and the Taken Back Quartet accompanied guest composers in concert presentation. Mike’s involvement now includes workshops, presentations in grade schools, and tours of venues throughout the region.
He has presented his own music multiple times as leader and in the capacity of ‘Composer-in-Residence’. Since 2004, Mike has been a member of the band Cotangent, a New York based group led by pianist/composer Bill Gerhardt, replacing Parisian-born Francois Moutin, one of the world’s premier bassists.
He has performed with Joe Locke, Ingrid Jensen, Randy Brecker, Frank Kimbrough, Kendra Shank, Ron Horton, Marc Mommaas, Tim Horner and Sheila Jordan, among others. A truly gifted musician, Mike is finding himself more in demand than ever as he performs in jazz clubs in New York, throughout the Carolinas, and continues to be a force with the Jazz Composers Forum and the Like Mind Trio.
I asked Mike, “How is it different for you as a bassist, switching from one setting to another, e.g.: with a vocalist, a big band, or a small combo?”
His response, “I really enjoy changing settings, getting into new situations with different musicians, playing different music. As a bassist in swing music, the role really doesn’t change that much, but the level of intimacy with the other musicians and the listener can change quite a bit. I really enjoy the smaller instrumental groups because we’re all dealing with the same types of ideas such as creating or supporting melodies without words to help support the mood or vibe and everyone really gets a chance to contribute.
“In a small trio with drums, I can really hook up with the drummer and create an interesting and supportive structure behind a soloist. I also enjoy working with vocalists because in that situation, instrumentalists have a chance to support a story that’s being told by the lyrics. I find with the bigger ensembles, it’s more about staying out of the way.”
One reason Mike is in such demand is his concentration, creativity and spontaneity. Veteran Asheville saxophonist Frank Southecorvo comments, “When Mike is playing in a band, of any size, he is totally immersed. He’s got an intense focus. Of course he also has beautiful tone, great chops and a willingness to play creatively. Most people fall back on their stock vocabulary while Mike is more likely to play bass parts that come from that particular moment.”
Jazz pianist Bill Gerhardt adds, “There are two kinds of musicians: those who PLAY music and those who MAKE music. Mike Holstein MAKES music. I have had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with him for a dozen years. I’ve seen him grow into one of the finest musicians in jazz. His considerable technique allows him to transcend the bass and his creativity guarantees outstanding music on every performance. Mike has his own voice and any chance to hear him should never be missed.”
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